Now Forage

Blueberry: Deep blue-purple with a silvery bloom; stem scar (not stem) at the top. Taste is the best test — a truly ripe blueberry is sweet and has no pink flesh inside. Let the cluster go fully blue before picking the whole thing.

ginkgo: Female trees only: fleshy, apricot-like fruit falls when ripe, emitting a very unpleasant rancid-butter smell. Wear gloves — the outer flesh causes dermatitis. The inner nut is edible; roast or boil after removing shells. Limit intake (toxins at high dose).